NSU Oceanographic Center Seminar Schedule

Upcoming Seminars

Terry Gosliner, Ph.D.

NSU Oceanographic Center - March 13th, 2015 6:00PM - "Biodiversity Exploration and Conservation in the Center of the Center of Marine Diversity"

Summary:

Modern expeditions not only have a fundamental component of novel scientific research, but involve community outreach, foster collaborations and further more positive conservation outcomes. This approach is not only becoming a new standard for working in biodiversity hotspots around the globe, it is a strategy that leverages far more impact for the research being undertaken. Describing this model, the discoveries being made, the impact of the scientific research and its significance to marine conservation are the focus of this work.

Richard Aronson, Ph.D.

Background:Rich Aronson is Professor and Head of Biological Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. He grew up in Queens, New York and got interested in marine biology at an early age, collecting shells at Jones Beach, Long Island. He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1979 and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1985. Rich’s research program combines paleontology and ecology to reconstruct the response of marine communities to environmental changes in deep time. He brings this information to bear in predicting the impacts of climate change on modern biotas and the communities they comprise. He focuses on coral reefs and subtidal communities in Antarctica. Because seasonal temperature variation is narrow in the tropics and at the poles, the ecological impacts of climate change are being seen earliest and most clearly at the latitudinal extremes. Along with research and teaching, Rich is active in outreach. He visits K‒12 classes regularly, works with journalists, and produces short videos on climate change and other environmental issues.

Past Seminars

Omar Eldakar, Ph.D.

Background:A little background on myself. I did all my schooling (BS-PhD) at Binghamton University under David Sloan Wilson, and my postdoc in the Center for Insect Science at the University of Arizona. I began exploring the conflict between altruism and selfishness in humans, then theoretically using mathematical and computer simulation models, and eventually studying non-human animal systems. I still research in these fields in addition to studying yawning, and any other topic of interest (toxin production in algae, winner-loser effects, etc). I consider myself an evolutionist, not necessarily only an evolutionary biologist, as I am quite simply motivated to look at any and all things from an evolutionary perspective.

Charles Messing, Ph.D.

Professor Charles G. Messing has been a member of the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center faculty for 25 years and has been part of the South Florida marine biological community since 1970. He earned both M.S. (1975) and Ph.D. (1979) degrees in Biological Oceanography from RSMAS, followed by a Smithsonian post-doctoral research fellowship, and a brief stint as Acting Coordinator of the Univ. of Miami’s Undergraduate Marine Science Program. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of crinoids (sea lilies and feather stars) and on the ecology of deep-sea coral reefs and rocky-bottom habitats. He has led over 20 manned submersible and ROV expeditions and led or participated in over 30 other research and educational expeditions as far afield as Papua New Guinea. His research has been funded by NSF, NOAA, and FFWCC, among other sources, and he is the author or co-author of 57 scientific papers. Prof. Messing is currently a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution and at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and has been a repeated Visiting Scientist at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. He has written and hosted educational videos (e.g., Messing with Nature, 2010; Hidden Oases: Florida’s Deep-Sea Reefs, 2008) and was recently featured in WPBT Channel 2’s Changing Seas: Living Fossils (2013). He is a scientific illustrator, member of the Explorers Club, and wrote and performed the one-person My Beard Toward Heaven: a Play of Michelangelo.

Anabela Maia, Ph.D.

Summary:Fish locomotion is essential to vast majority of fish behaviors; foraging for food, escaping predators, migrations, and finding suitable mates all depend on the efficient used of fins and foils to propel fish. However fish swimming has not received as much attention as other behaviors since it was hard to study in the laboratory setting. With the advances in 3D kinematic analysis and flow visualization techniques this field has grown quite considerably in the last decade. Here, I present my research on fish swimming, especially on the role of fins as foils during steady swimming and maneuvering in sharks, swimming impairment by streamwise turbulence and other perturbations in bluegill sunfish and the biomechanics of the grasping behavior of seahorse tails. Using a combination of biomechanical and physiological techniques, together with morphological analysis we can study the functional morphology of fish appendages and hypothesize their role in fish evolution.

Angela Rosenberg, Director of Programs & Policies

Abstract:The International SeaKeepers Society strives to increase current knowledge about the oceans, promote and facilitate scientific discovery and raise awareness about critical ocean issues. SeaKeepers works directly with the yachting community as an essential component and contributor to ocean research and conservation efforts. The organization runs several yacht-involved programs to accomplish this mission.

The SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Yachts Program is the organization’s foremost initiative in accomplishing its mission and goals. The program is comprised of scientific expeditions, instrument deployments and educational outreach events, all of which occur on private vessels. SeaKeepers collaborates with numerous organizations, academic institutions and government agencies to accomplish its DISCOVERY Yacht missions.

Jeffery Alan Plunkett, Ph.D.

Background:There are no therapies available that restore motor impairments resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI). Many patients with SCI are permanently paralyzed and in need of lifelong care. Promoting axon regeneration after SCI may lead to the formation of axon circuits that may be involved in (or recruited for) motor functions. In the mammalian spinal cord, axon regeneration is frustrated by inhibitors such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) expressed by reactive astrocytes present at the injury site. The current focus of my laboratory involves investigation of the role CSPGs play in the CNS regenerative abilities seen in teleost fishes. Our studies have led to the development of in vitro and in vivo methodologies to study CNS regeneration in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. In adult zebrafish, some brainstem neurons are able to grow their axon beyond a spinal cord injury, even though inhibitory CSPGs are present. Based on these findings we have developed an overall working hypothesis that the ability to grow an axon over CSPGs is intrinsic to the zebrafish brainstem neurons and entails the expression of a distinct set of genes.

Peter J. Edmunds, Ph.D.

NSU Oceanographic Center - Friday, October 10th, 2014 6:00PM - "The role of coral ecophysiology in a warmer and more acidic world"

Summary:

Peter Edmunds is a Professor at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Originally from England, he did his Bachelor degree in Marine Biology at the University of Newcastle upon-Tyne, and PhD at Glasgow University in Scotland. His research focuses on the physiological ecology of tropical reef corals at the organismic, population, and community levels. He studies the ecology and long-term dynamics of coral reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia in order to identify temporal trends and provide a rich ecological context within which mechanistic research can be designed. He also studies the biology of individual corals in order to better understand their basic functionality, specifically to establish mechanistic links between organism performance and community dynamics, such as the mechanistic basis of the effects of temperature and ocean acidification on early life history stages. Prof. Edmunds is a contributing editor for Marine Ecology Progress Series and is on the editorial board of Coral Reefs.

There will be a meet and greet dinner after the seminar in the COE cafe', and OC students will have first opportunity to sign up for the event, after which it will be opened to faculty and undergraduates. There will be limited seating, so we urge all students to RSVP for the seminar to ocadmissions@nova.edu BEFORE Sept 26, 2014.

Jose Lopez, Ph.D.

Dr. Jose (Joe) Lopez is a Professor at the Nova Southeastern University Ocean Center (NSU OC- www.nova.edu/ocean) in Dania Beach Florida. He earned a Master’s degree at Florida State University, and his doctorate at George Mason University studying the evolution of mitochondrial DNA and its transpositions (Numt) in feline nuclear genomes. Dr Lopez then applied his molecular evolutionary training in postdoctoral appointments characterizing the Orbicella (formerly Montastraea) annularis coral sibling species complex at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, and sponge genetics at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in Ft Pierce FL. The latter allowed him to use submersible technology to investigate deep sea sponges and corals. Since 2007, Dr Lopez’s current research at the NSU Center Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystems Research, involves diverse projects on marine invertebrate-microbial symbiosis, genomics and metagenomics, gene expression of marine organisms, marine microbiology, and systematics/phylogenetics for placing marine sponges on a global Tree of Life (www.PorToL.org). His lab has recently initiated the novel “Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance” (http://giga.nova.edu), that will apply genome sequencing of non-model invertebrate species, and Dr Lopez is also involved with the consortium of sponge biologists working on the global Earth Microbiome Project (http://earthmicrobiome.org). Overall, this research thread has resulted in over 40 peer-reviewed publications.

David Weinstein, Ph.D. Candidate

The architectural complexity, spatial zonation, and geomorphic diversity created by coral reefs provide the vital foundational characteristics responsible for many of the ecological and economic benefits these habitats provide. Much research has shown that shallow-water coral reef geomorphology and structural sustainability is highly determined by chemical, biological, and physical constructive or destructive carbonate cycling processes that deposit or remove carbonate and regulate net calcium carbonate accumulation. However, little is known about these processes and their relationship to reef structure in mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), deep light-dependent reef communities (30-150 m) valued due to high biodiversity, large spatial coverage, and the potential connectivity and refugia potential for species threatened by continual global shallow coral reef deterioration. Census-based carbonate budgets (summations of carbonate production and sedimentation minus carbonate loss through physical and biological erosion) were calculated at structurally dissimilar mesophotic reef habitats and shallow-water counterparts south of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands to investigate the role of sedimentary processes in the structural development, maintenance, and habitat diversity of mesophotic reefs.

Cheryl Hankins, Ph.D.

I received a B.S. in Marine Biology from The University of West Florida (2002) after transferring from University of Memphis. I continued my studies at The University of West Florida and received my M.Sc. in 2007. I've been a coral biologist with EPA since 2010 but worked here previously as a Student Services Contractor while in graduate school. Current research involves studying effects of coral survival, growth, and recruitment due to land-based stressors, primarily sediment. Data collected will validate conceptual models which will assist with land management.

Vivian Cumbo, PhD

NSU Oceanographic Center - Thursday, June 19 at 4:30 pm at the OC Auditorium - "Establishment and development of symbiosis in corals"

SUMMARY:

Coral reefs thrive because of the symbiotic partnership between corals and Symbiodinium. While this partnership is one of the keys to the success of coral reef ecosystems, surprisingly little is known about coral symbiosis, in particular, the establishment and development of symbiosis. Most corals acquire Symbiodinium anew from the environment each generation (i.e., horizontal transmission) at the larval or primary polyp stage, thereby giving the host the opportunity to develop new symbiotic associations between generations. Symbiodinium diversity is high and different types provide different benefits to the coral. I used larvae of the genus Acropora to explore initial patterns of association between the host and Symbiodinium spp. I examined the flexibility of the association during the early life stage of corals, and how the prevailing environment and competition between Symbiodinium types affect the establishment and development of symbiosis. These results show that transgenerational changes in symbionts may function as a mechanism by which organisms that engage in flexible mutualistic relationships can rapidly adjust to changing environmental conditions. However, establishment of a stable symbiosis may be compromised as symbionts compete for space and resources within the host.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Vivian is from Sydney, Australia, where she completed a BSc in Microbiology (Hons) and Marine Biology at the University of New South Wales. Her honours thesis investigated the antimicrobial compounds in the scleractinian corals Montipora digitata and Montipora tortuosa. Her interests in corals and coral reef ecosystems saw her embarking on a PhD under the supervision of Prof. Terry Hughes, Prof. Andrew Baird and Dr. Madeleine van Oppen at James Cook University. Her PhD research explored the initial patterns of association between the coral host and Symbiodinium spp., and how environmental conditions affect the establishment and development of symbiosis. Vivian continued her research on coral as a NSF Postdoctoral Researcher at California State University, Northridge with Prof. Peter Edmunds. There she focused on the area of global climate change and its effects on the early life stages of corals; specifically the effects of rising temperature and ocean acidification on the physiology of larvae, newly settled recruits and juvenile corals. Currently, Vivian is a Research Associate in the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, and her research is focused on coral systematics, coral reproductive biology, larval ecology and symbiosis. Vivian has conducted coral research in the Great Barrier Reef, Red Sea, Okinawa, Taiwan and Moorea.

Dr. Nick Funicelli

Dr. Funicelli retired from federal service in 2007. During his 30-year tenure he has held positions with the Corps Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Biological Service and U.S. Geological Survey. He is currently a Researcher Emeritus with USGS, and also holds adjunct faculty positions with Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Florida, and the Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University. He teaches graduate classes at both Universities. Since retiring he has graduated two masters candidates and currently directs four masters candidates. Dr. Funicelli has authored over forty peer-reviewed publications as well as several book chapters and popular articles. He is considered an expert on Marine Protected Areas. He served on the task force that created the Tortugas National Sanctuary. He is currently a consultant to the Colombian government relative to the operation of the Star Flower Marine Sanctuary. His most recent research concerns the creation of “YY” males as means to control non-indigenous fish populations.

Dr. Nick Funicelli explains his "How to get a job" presentation.

"The job lecture is one that has really has taken on a life of its own. About three years ago a fellow faculty member here at UF asked me to talk a bit about, how, when I was with the feds, I selected biologist for positions in my lab. He figured since I had hired well over 100 biologist in my 30 year federal career I had some insights as to what students should know relative to how we selected biologist from entry level techs, to P.I.'s. Well I suppose the students got something out of it as I've been asked to give the lecture every year, as well as requests,"

William Browne, Ph.D.

Friday March 14, COE auditorium, 4:30 PM- " Insights from the genome of an ancient metazoan lineage: the Ctenophora"

Univ. of Miami

Biographical Sketch: Dr. Browne completed his PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Chicago followed by Postdoctoral work at the University of Hawaii’s Kewalo Marine Lab. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Miami and a Research Collaborator with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. His work is focused on patterns of change underlying organismal diversity. His lab currently uses the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leiydi and the amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis as model systems for both developmental and evolutionary investigations. His talk will address recent genomics work in his lab.

Biographical Sketch:Dr. Ma. Carmen Ablan-Lagman is a 2014 Fulbright Senior Faculty Fellowship awardee to Oregon State University in Corvallis to conduct research on population genomics and gene expression in the mud crab Scylla serrata. She is an Associate Professor at the De La Salle University in the Philippines, an affiliate of the Shields Ocean Center (SHORE) and a research associate of the Philippine National Museum of Natural History. Prior to joining DLSU in 2007, Dr. Ablan was a Research Scientist at the WorldFish Center, one of 16 centers of Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research and was based in Malaysia, Japan and Thailand.

For the past 13 years, Dr. Ablan has been conducting research on population genetics and systematics of coral reef fish and invertebrates specifically for applications to for biodiversity conservation, fisheries management and aquaculture. She has run several multi-site and multi-country collaborative projects, the most recent of which are the NSF-PEER funded PhilFishConnect project with 4 other research institutions in the Philippines, the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation funded Population Inter dependencies in the South China Sea Ecosystem (PISCES) initiative with 6 other universities in Southeast Asia and the Coral Triangle Partnerships for International Research and Education (CT-PIRE) project with the Old Dominion University, Boston University and Undayana University in Indonesia. Dr. Ablan has been part of several international working groups on biodiversity and fisheries convened by the WorldBank, UNEP and the FAO, contributing to the discussions on conservation and management of genetic resources and population structure and connectivity for near shore marine habitats. In her talk, Dr. Ablan will address the question “how could the ability to study genomes benefit efforts to conserve diversity in biodiversity hotspots” providing some insight into the context of science in the developing world.

Dr. Hamann is a Professor of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Chemistry & Biochemistry as well as a Research Professor with the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi and an Adjunct Professor with the Center of Marine Biotechnology (COMB), University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI). Dr. Hamann received his B.Sc. in Chemistry & Biology from Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He has several years experience in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing and then completed a Ph.D. degree in Marine Natural Products Chemistry in 1992 at the University of Hawaii, Chemistry Department under the guidance of the late Professor Paul Scheuer -a pioneer in the discovery and chemical ecology of marine natural products. During his 20-year research career, Dr. Hamann has published over 100 scientific papers, reviews and book chapters. He has received numerous awards and honors, organized numerous scientific symposia and meetings and frequently delivers keynote or plenary presentations at international conferences. Dr. Hamann's research program includes an extensive array of collaborations with the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry as well as Federal research programs focused on the development of treatments for infectious, neurological diseases and cancer from marine derived secondary metabolites. Dr. Hamann's group has a small pipeline of marine natural product drug leads. The most advanced product currently investigated by his research group are the kahalalides. The lead compound, Kahalalide F is covered by U.S. patent number 6,274,551 which is assigned to PharmaMar S.A., a pharmaceutical company in Madrid. PharmaMar is developing this novel class of anticancer agents, and Kahalalide F is currently in phase II clinical trials.

Cheryl Hankins

NSU Oceanographic Center Supporting Institutes:

The Mission of the Oceanographic Center is to carry out innovative, basic and applied research and to provide high-quality graduate and undergraduate education in a broad range of marine science and related disciplines.